Same cooler or different cooler

[creativename]

I have a reference cooler GTX780Ti. I want to add a 2nd one, but I'm not sure if I should get the same cooler for a more uniform look, or a different cooler for betters temps on the top card.

[legend8887]

I have a reference cooler GTX780Ti. I want to add a 2nd one, but I'm not sure if I should get the same cooler for a more uniform look, or a different cooler for betters temps on the top card.

A reference card means the heat is blown out the back of the case.

[CtW]

Get the same cooler. Not only will you have them look the same (if I saw 2 mismatched cards in SLI, my OCD will go off big time), you also run the risk of purchasing a card that has a non reference PCB. If you try to SLI a card with a reference PCB and one with a custom PCB, bad things will happen.

[creativename]

A reference card means the heat is blown out the back of the case.

I know that. If I put a no reference cooler on the top, and a non reference cooler on the bottom, the bottom will just exhaust the air it intakes from the open space, and the top card won't suffocate from being close to the bottom card, I assumed it would keep both cards coolers than having both a blower style cooler.

[creativename]

Get the same cooler. Not only will you have them look the same (if I saw 2 mismatched cards in SLI, my OCD will go off big time), you also run the risk of purchasing a card that has a non reference PCB. If you try to SLI a card with a reference PCB and one with a custom PCB, bad things will happen.

That's actually not true. As long as its a GTX80Ti with 3GB of ram, cooler or PCB won't cause any problems in SLI.

[CtW]

A reference card means the heat is blown out the back of the case.

No, It means that the card is the original Nvidia design which means it has an Nvidia desgined PCB and cooler. Non-Reference cards usually tend to have custom coolers and the Nvidia designed PCB, but some companies (Asus is a big example) design their own PCB for the card that they produce (usually to upgrade the power delivery and other things.

[CtW]

That's actually not true. As long as its a GTX770 with 2GB of ram, cooler or PCB won't cause any problems in SLI.

Um, you have a 780Ti. You CANNOT SLI 2 different Nvidia cards. That is not possible due to the fact that YOU HAVE DIFFERENT GPU'S. In addition to that, reference card + non reference card would just look bad.

[i_build_nanosuits]

I know that. If I put a no reference cooler on the top, and a non reference cooler on the bottom, the bottom will just exhaust the air it intakes from the open space, and the top card won't suffocate from being close to the bottom card, I assumed it would keep both cards coolers than having both a blower style cooler.

EXACTLY, that is exactly 100% right, get a blower fan card for the top slot and a non reference cooler for the bottom slot, that way your optimal.

[legend8887]

No, It means that the card is the original Nvidia design which means it has an Nvidia desgined PCB and cooler. Non-Reference cards usually tend to have custom coolers and the Nvidia designed PCB, but some companies (Asus is a big example) design their own PCB for the card that they produce (usually to upgrade the power delivery and other things.

I know the reference cards are made by Nvidia. What I don't know is why you're telling me no when I'm right. The reference cards blow hot air out the back of the case so it doesn't sit in your case.

[i_build_nanosuits]

I know the reference cards are made by Nvidia. What I don't know is why you're telling me no when I'm right. The reference cards blow hot air out the back of the case so it doesn't sit in your case.

you guys there's something you are missing, there are reference CARDS and reference COOLER designs...a reference COOLER is a blower style that throws the heat out the back, THIS IS PERFECT FOR YOUR TOP CARD, the reference design CARD is using a reference PCB like CtW says but it can come with a third party cooler...now, its all about the COOLERS here, if you can get a reference COOLER for the top card and a third party cooler for the bottom card and having a good airflow in your case than you are going to get the best temps, the best of both worlds...

[creativename]

Um, you have a 780Ti. You CANNOT SLI 2 different Nvidia cards. That is not possible due to the fact that YOU HAVE DIFFERENT GPU'S. In addition to that, reference card + non reference card would just look bad.

Sorry I was tired. I meant, another 780ti with 3gb of ram. LOL